- Joined
- Jan 30, 2017
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Hi all - I saw an injured cat yesterday that I just can't forget about, and I'm looking for some advice on what to do.
I was driving down a busy, desolate stretch of freeway (I-295 through Greenbelt, if you're familiar with the Baltimore/DC area), and I saw an orange cat curled up in the grassy median between the North and Southbound lanes. The median is about 30 feet wide and the 6-lane road is VERY busy 24/7, so I was immediately alarmed when I saw it. I turned around, parked on the shoulder, and ran (across 4 lanes of traffic) to the median to investigate.
There, I found a scrawny, frightened tabby who tried to flatten himself to the grass rather than run away. When he knew he had been spotted, he tried to run and I realized his back leg was very badly broken - the 'foot' portion was just flopping to and fro, and looked to be only attached by the skin (no blood though).
Terrified, he ran toward traffic I could tell he was contemplating running across the road. Knowing he would never let me catch him and carry him across the highway, and I couldn't bear to see him hit, I gave up and got back in my car. I called the SPCA and Animal Control to let them know what I saw, hoping that they would trap and at least humanely euthanize the cat. However, they both gave me the runaround a little bit and I am not overly confident that either will do anything.
So now, I am left with incredible guilt and concern over what will happen to this poor cat. I'd be very surprised if there is any food source on his 'island'. That median is about an hour from my house (without traffic, which would add an extra 40 mins outside of working hours), and parking/crossing there is really dangerous. Since I work regular hours, I'll only be able to get the once it is pitch dark.
So, what should I do? Am I upset over nothing? Should I try and trap him? Would I even be successful? Is there a way to see if the SPCA found him? I'd even be willing to pay for his leg to be fixed and let him live out his days in my yard (assuming he is feral).
Thanks for any advice.
I was driving down a busy, desolate stretch of freeway (I-295 through Greenbelt, if you're familiar with the Baltimore/DC area), and I saw an orange cat curled up in the grassy median between the North and Southbound lanes. The median is about 30 feet wide and the 6-lane road is VERY busy 24/7, so I was immediately alarmed when I saw it. I turned around, parked on the shoulder, and ran (across 4 lanes of traffic) to the median to investigate.
There, I found a scrawny, frightened tabby who tried to flatten himself to the grass rather than run away. When he knew he had been spotted, he tried to run and I realized his back leg was very badly broken - the 'foot' portion was just flopping to and fro, and looked to be only attached by the skin (no blood though).
Terrified, he ran toward traffic I could tell he was contemplating running across the road. Knowing he would never let me catch him and carry him across the highway, and I couldn't bear to see him hit, I gave up and got back in my car. I called the SPCA and Animal Control to let them know what I saw, hoping that they would trap and at least humanely euthanize the cat. However, they both gave me the runaround a little bit and I am not overly confident that either will do anything.
So now, I am left with incredible guilt and concern over what will happen to this poor cat. I'd be very surprised if there is any food source on his 'island'. That median is about an hour from my house (without traffic, which would add an extra 40 mins outside of working hours), and parking/crossing there is really dangerous. Since I work regular hours, I'll only be able to get the once it is pitch dark.
So, what should I do? Am I upset over nothing? Should I try and trap him? Would I even be successful? Is there a way to see if the SPCA found him? I'd even be willing to pay for his leg to be fixed and let him live out his days in my yard (assuming he is feral).
Thanks for any advice.